How far till rock bottom?

National and Labour are taking the term “managed decline” to new heights.

A brand-new 1News poll dropped on Tuesday night, with both major parties sitting at just 28% & 29%.

Then came the leaders’ debate. Neither man seemed capable of answering a question straight, and the conflicting surveys over who actually won suggest even the media can’t give us a straight answer.

When you think about it, both Chrises have already sat in the Prime Minister’s seat.

One was incapable. The other was unpopular.

And somehow, these are our choices for the next Prime Minister?

We’re stuck in a situationship with two guys who both think they’re the belle of the ball, when, as one X user rather crudely put it, they’re really just “ball bags”.

Pardon my language.

But with 31 days until the election, there’s a serious question in front of us:

How do we make the best of a bad situation?

Do we split our vote? Vote for the party or candidate we actually believe in? Or give up and not vote at all?

If you’re considering splitting your vote, I’d encourage you to listen to Sean Plunket and Maurice Williamson’s recent Platform discussion on the issue. It’s clear, informative, and frankly made me wonder why National hasn’t embraced the strategy more openly.

If you’re planning to vote based on who you like, or simply because it’s how you’ve always voted, I’d encourage you to stop and ask yourself:

Have I actually gotten what I hoped for from these guys?

For many New Zealanders, I suspect the answer is no.

We were promised change. We wanted action. We expected results.

And too often, we’ve been left wanting more.

And if you’re thinking about not voting at all, well, that’s your decision.

I think it’s a bad one. But it’s yours.

Because a vote is a wonderful thing.

Millions around the world wish they had one. Too many of us fail to exercise ours. And even fewer stop to think seriously about how we should use it.

Don’t waste yours.

Don’t vote out of habit.

Don’t vote because a politician scared you into it.

Don’t vote because somebody told you that you have no other choice.

Look at the candidates. Look at the parties. Look at what they’ve actually done, not just what they’re promising to do over the next 31 days.

Then make your vote count.